Microfluidic-blow-spinning of carvacrol-loaded porphyrin metal − organic framework nanofiber films with synergistic antibacterial capabilities for food packaging

The adherence of foodborne microorganisms threatens human health, necessitating the development of antibacterial food packaging films. In this study, the antibacterial agent carvacrol (CV), hindered by its high volatility and intense aromatic odor, was encapsulated within the photosensitive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) material PCN-224 (loading rate 50%). Subsequently, the microfluidic-blow-spinning (MBS) technique was employed for the rapid fabrication of CV@PCN-224/polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS) nanofiber films. The incorporation of CV@PCN-224 NPs enhances the nanofiber films' thermal stability and mechanical properties and improves the water vapor permeability while maintaining the sustained release of CV over an extended period and good biocompatibility. Due to the simultaneous loading of antibacterial agent (CV) and photosensitive agent (PCN-224), the CV@PCN-224/PCL/CS films exhibited good synergistic antibacterial functionality, as demonstrated by effective inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus. All results show the vast potential of the prepared nanofiber films in antibacterial food packaging. [Display omitted] •CV@PCN-224 (Zr porphyrin MOF) nanoparticles had synergistic antibacterial effects•CV@PCN-224/PCL/CS nanofiber films were rapidly prepared by microfluidic-blow-spinning•The CV@PCN-224/PCL/CS nanofiber films enabled the long-term slow release of CV•The CV@PCN-224/PCL/CS films effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus•The films had good compatibility and are expected to be used for food packaging